Is Compromise A Dead Word In D.C.?

Over the weekend, my husband and I rented a few movies to watch on Saturday night. We had to call our working day short due to a passing storm that hit some areas with damaging winds and hail. Luckily, we just got a good shot of rain, so the break from throwing square bales was welcomed and enjoyed by all.

We rented the 2012 hit movie, “Lincoln,” which depicted the story of President Abraham Lincoln’s political maneuvering for passage of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution,which freed the slaves. One scene in the movie featured a debate in the House of Representatives. The debate portrayed intense discussions on Civil War-era politics. The heated speeches and frequently tossed insults from across the aisle made me realize that not much has changed in our nation’s capital since 1865.

Last week, the farm bill failed to pass. Big shocker. With Democrats fighting cuts to the food stamp program and Republicans trying to cut overall costs and hang onto farm subsidies, the word compromise isn’t even in the current vernacular of our nation’s capital.

Perhaps the farm bill needs to be broken up, separating the nutrition assistance programs from the production needs of farmers and ranchers, who rely on the program for the government programs that will dictate how they will operate and manage their businesses. Obviously, that isn’t a new or novel idea, but we need to do something to facilitate Congress to move forward with its responsibilities rather than leave millions of people in limbo waiting for our elected representatives to come to agreement. It’s an irresponsible use of power for Congress to sit on its hands and refuse to work together, and I think it’s high time we start calling Congress out on it.

Of course, I better be careful for what I wish. If our elected officials do decide to get to work, I might not like what results, either.

Our country’s leaders have come through in the clutch numerous times during our nation’s history. We freed the slaves, granted women the vote, and guaranteed equal rights to all individuals, regardless of race, creed or color, to name a few. However, we’ve still got a long way to go when it comes to dealing with each other. That’s something we’re still working on 150 years after Lincoln’s time.

What are your thoughts on the stalemate in Congress? Is it good, bad, or indifferent? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.